Arlington on Saturday

[airportis]

Striker you seem to know whats going on at Arlington. What do you think about Workin for Hops in the American Derby? a mile and 3/16 which is the same distance he came in 2nd to to Paddy o Prado in the Colonial Turf Cup.

Im guessing the mile and a quarter was a bitch much for him as they passed on the Virginia Derby to run this race instead.

Was out in front last time and got caught by Paddy to lose by 2 or 3 lengths. He still finished better than a length in front of the 3rd place horse who has entered into the Virginia Derby with Paddy this weekend.

If theres no pace challenger, I think he can wire them. Dont see any horses in that field that compare to Paddy.


Striker, im going to ask jack or IE for your email if thats alright. would love to talk some horses with you as you seem to know whats going on.

 

[Striker13]

AP- Just pm me here at MJs. Workin for Hops is a good one. I loved his effort against Paddy at Colonial he didn't just pack in and fought him pretty well, he just wasn't good enough. For starters you have a horse who is 2 for 2 over the Arlington course. The Arlington Classic race which he won easily on the lead by himself was even more impressive given some other facts. I am very big on adding the turf rail into my handicapping equation. That day the rail was at 62feet out which usually favors closers and at least stalker types. Well Workin for Hops wired it, that's a huge extra incentive to like a horse's effort. 3 horses he beat that day and 2 he will face saturday came back to win stakes races. Gleam of Hope 3rd in the Arlington Classic won a Grade 3 at Churchill going 11/16 turf, Mister Mardi Gras 4th in the AC won an overnight stake at Indiana Downs at 1 mile turf. I also like that Workin for Hops came home in 30 and 3/5 seconds the final 2.5 furlongs that day at AP. Stidham(WFH trainer) is having good success in stakes races at AP this year and I don't know if you realize there is some big money on the table for WFH because he won the Arlington Classic which was the 1st leg of the Mid America Triple. The next leg is this saturday with the American Derby and then the final leg is the Secretariat on Million day. I don't know what the bonus is this year if you can win all 3 but last year it was 500k. I think that WFH is going to get pounded at the windows though so value will probably not be there.

 

[Striker13]

Info on his last work before saturday, think they will be okay even if he isn't on the lead--

In his final tuneup, Workin for Hops breezed five furlongs in 1:02 4/5 over the Arlington Polytrack July 11.

"We tried to get him focused on finishing fast," said Stidham. "We started him off slow but had him finish fast. He got the last quarter in :23 3/5 and (he) galloped out another pole in 12 and change."

 

[airportis]

Pretty easy today for Workin For Hops. 1 3/16 seems about his limit though. Plenty left at the top of the stretch and really pulled away from them.

Pretty sure we will see him at the Breeders Cup.

 

[Striker13]

The Secretariat on August 21st sets up as a great battle now between Paddy o Prado, who trainer Dale Romans said that was the next goal for him, and Workin for Hops. Workin for Hops goes for Arlington's Mid America Triple now which I guess doesn't include a bonus this year if you win all 3 but last year the bonus was 500k. This hasn't been done since Honor Glide did it in 1997.